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Arsenal boss Arteta dismisses Jesus claims over Barcelona exit
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed surprise at Gabriel Jesus's assertions that he was sidelined before his transfer to Barcelona. The striker alleged he was forced to train separately from the squad during his final weeks at the north London club.
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Arteta rejected the Brazilian forward's characterization of events surrounding his departure from Arsenal, stating he was taken aback by the public criticism. Jesus, who left the Premier League club for Barcelona earlier this year, had claimed he was isolated from team training activities prior to completing his move to Spain.
The Arsenal manager's comments suggest a fundamental disagreement over how the striker's exit was handled. While Jesus cited being excluded from regular squad sessions, Arteta's reaction indicates the club believes its conduct during the transfer period was appropriate and standard protocol.
Jesus joined Barcelona on a deal that represented one of the transfer window's significant moves. His tenure at Arsenal had produced mixed results since his arrival, with injuries affecting his overall contribution to the side.
The dispute highlights tensions that can emerge during high-profile player departures, particularly when athletes publicly air grievances about their treatment. Such conflicts between managers and departing players are not uncommon in professional football, though Arteta's expression of surprise suggests Arsenal felt it had acted reasonably throughout the negotiation and transition period.